It had been a few months since that first time and life had returned to a sense of normality; Alice was back working full time, building up from two days a week in the beginning to full time from the beginning of December. Lucien and Jean were openly engaged and trying not to take note of the talk. Alice and Mathew had decided that they weren't all that bothered by what people had to say and were dating to all of Ballaratt but only Jean and Lucien knew that they were also living and sleeping together in the studio that was once Lucien's mother's art studio.

One evening after dinner, with Christmas coming up and Jean and Alice planning Christmas dinner at the table and Lucien checking what alcohol they had and what was needed, Matthew sat and thought about the new watch that he had bought for Alice. He had had it engraved on the back: he had wondered whether it was a bit soppy, but he did it anyway and he hoped she liked it. He had also bought Alice some new perfume. She loved L'Air de Temps and he'd noticed she was running out, so he bought that and as he was heading back from his shopping trip, he saw some of the chocolates that he knew she loved. In his outing, he'd bought a new pen and journal for Rose, a bottle of whisky for Lucien and a new scarf for Jean: he was well impressed with his organisation this year.

It was Christmas eve and Matthew and Alice were in their room, wrapping their presents for Jean and Lucien, "perhaps we should have bought presents together for Jean and Lucien?", said Matthew, "I didn't think about it before now." Alice just looked over and said, "maybe next year. This year I'm glad we bought separate presents: they've been so kind and so understanding to both of us and I want to thank them for it…for their friendship."

Rose, Charlie and Bill are joining us tomorrow for dinner; it'll be a busy day but I'm sure it'll be fun. Matthew moved over to wrap his arms around Alice's back, pulling her in for a kiss to the neck. Alice turned her head around to kiss Matthew, wrapping her arms over his on her waist. Matthew tried to turn Alice in his arms, and she pulled away laughing.

"Don't you dare Matthew Lawson; I have plenty to do to help Jean this evening! Don't start something you can't finish!" She quickly ducked in for a kiss before heading for the door to the bedroom.

Matthew put on a fake petted lip and said, "who says I can't finish what I started? I can be quick, if I need to be!"

"Oh really Matthew? Really? I think not!"

Alice picked up a cushion from the chair next to her door and threw it at Matthew: she caught him unawares. He turned around and looked at Alice and said, "just you wait Dr Harvey, I'll bide my time for revenge!" Alice laughed as she left the room.

Matthew thought about how far he and Alice had come since he found her lying on the floor of the morgue, battered, bruised and bleeding. They had found such comfort and love in each other and Matthew was enjoying this fun and cheeky side of Alice. He decided he was a very lucky man indeed.

When they eventually all made it to bed that night, Alice leaned into Matthew and rested her head against his chest.

"How is your leg Matthew?"

"Fine, love. How are you? I know you still get some pains from those ribs and shoulder."

"Just fine. We're a right pair, aren't we?"

"That we are love, that we are."

"Alice? I know this is a strange request but, do you still have that pink dress? You know the one you wore the night we…when we…"

Alice looked up and smiled at Matthew, "the night I seduced you and had my wicked way with you?" she giggled into his chest.

"That's the one!Will you wear it tomorrow please?"

"Yes, of course. If it will make you happy."

Matthew, in a swift motion, moved Alice below him and took Alice by surprise. She laughed and said, "Matthew? What are you doing? Jean and Lucien are still in the living room, for goodness sake!"

"I can be quiet…I'm also intending to finish what I started earlier." He caught her unawares again and started to tickle her. She rolled to try and get him off of her and to stop the tickling, but Matthew was just too heavy.

"Mathew…stop it…stop it you silly man…Matthew…" she said through her giggles.

The knock on their door made Matthew halt his tickling, "yes?" he called.

"Matthew, Alice, what are you two up to?" asked Lucien.

"I'm just getting Alice back for throwing a cushion at me earlier! She's paid her price now. Promise we'll be quiet."

"Best be or else" laughed Lucien.

"Or else what?" asked Matthew.

"Father Christmas won't bring you anything!" Lucien laughed as he walked away calling goodnight back to Alice and Matthew.

Alice pulled Matthew down for a kiss and as she did, Matthew started moving her night dress up. "Emmm what about Father Christmas?" whispered Alice.

"He won't hear a thing; I'll be quiet if you will." Alice felt his smile against her lips.